Our culture is changing and the sexists don't like it

Sociology professor Frank Furedi has added his voice to a growing number of
people who believe that sexual harassment or advances can be 'mild' or
'misconstrued'. Cathy Newman corrects an older generation who don't
quite get it.

Frank Furedi believes "The campaign against 'inappropriate behaviour' in workplaces and political circles is turning into a moral crusade and is giving rise to a poisonous prurient climate".Photo: MARTIN POPE

It is, Prof Furedi makes clear,the Rennard affairwhich "has exposed modern society's prurient streak...under the cover of raising awareness about an alleged scourge of sexual harassment at work and in politics, the media and society is really salaciously spying on policing interpersonal interaction."

In response, I hardly know where to begin.

But let's start with the allegations against Lord Rennard - allegations he continues to deny. Three women gave detailed accounts to me of inappropriate behaviour by the Lib Dems' former chief executive - abusing his power by touching them and propositioning them.

Baroness Williams said the situation had been "hopelessly exaggerated", and the party's chief whip in the Lords, Lord Newby, played down the claims as "a mild kind of sexual harassment".

Call me pedantic, but while I'd happily apply the word "mild" to a chicken korma, it's not an adjective I'd choose to describe either "sexual harassment" or "sexual advances".

I've come to the conclusion that reaction to the Rennard affair and its repercussions across society tends to divide people along generational lines.

Most of those - and that includes friends and colleagues who I like and respect - who can't quite work out what all the fuss is about came of age in a culture where sexism was not only routine but openly tolerated. The rest of us welcome the fact that that culture is changing. And that's not a crusade, but a cause for celebration.